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Chapter 23
Tobesure,Imighthavepleadedmyfatigue,whichwasexcuseenough;butIthoughtitbehovedthatIshouldbearatestimony.Imusthavegotveryredintheface,butIspokesteadily,andtoldthemIhadnocalltobeajudgeofothers,butformyownpart,itwasamatterinwhichIhadnoclearness.
Clunystoppedminglingthecards.“Whatindeil’snameisthis?”sayshe.“WhatkindofWhiggish,cantingtalkisthis,forthehouseofClunyMacpherson?”
“IwillputmyhandinthefireforMr.Balfour,”saysAlan.“Heisanhonestandamettlegentleman,andIwouldhaveyebearinmindwhosaysit.Ibearaking’sname,”sayshe,cockinghishat;“andIandanythatIcallfriendarecompanyforthebest.Butthegentlemanistired,andshouldsleep;ifhehasnomindtothecartes,itwillneverhinderyouandme.AndI’mfitandwilling,sir,toplayyeanygamethatyecanname.”
“Sir,”saysCluny,“inthispoorhouseofmineIwouldhaveyoutokenthatanygentlemanmayfollowhispleasure.Ifyourfriendwouldliketostandonhishead,heiswelcome.Andifeitherhe,oryou,oranyotherman,isnotpreceeselysatisfied,Iwillbeproudtostepoutsidewithhim.”
Ihadnowillthatthesetwofriendsshouldcuttheirthroatsformysake.
“Sir,”saidI,“Iamverywearied,asAlansays;andwhat’smore,asyouareamanthatlikelyhassonsofyourown,Imaytellyouitwasapromisetomyfather.”
“Saynaemair,saynaemair,”saidCluny,andpointedmetoabedofheatherinacorneroftheCage.
